June 13th 2024.
It's no secret that we, as a society, are absolutely hooked on reality TV shows. But little did we know that they would teach us valuable lessons beyond just how to make a fortune from selling a lavish property. So, let's grab some snacks and cozy up because it's safe to say that the UK has become a country obsessed with both real estate and property TV shows.
We all have our classic favorites like Grand Designs and the iconic duo of Kirstie and Phil on Location, Location, Location. But let's not forget about the new wave of glossy imports from the US that have brought a whole new level of luxury to our screens. With designer-clad agents strutting around in sky-high heels, we've all marveled at the extravagant homes showcased on shows like Selling Sunset, Selling The OC, and Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.
Now, let's be honest, the homes on these shows are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but what really keeps us hooked are the intense personal dramas and feuds between the agents. Who could forget the epic showdown between Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn and Chrishell Stause? It's like watching a real-life soap opera, and we can't get enough of it.
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Once you've seen one marble-clad palace with a chef's kitchen, cinema room, underground wine cellar, his-and-hers walk-in wardrobes, and 11 bathrooms, you've pretty much seen them all. So, what makes these shows so captivating is the blurred lines between the agents' personal and professional lives. With so many different personalities in one workplace, small tensions that would normally be smoothed over in a regular office setting are amplified by boozy nights out, and cliques are formed.
But let's not forget about the newest addition to the workplace drama genre - Buying Beverly Hills. Now in its second season, the show follows the trials and tribulations of real estate mogul Mario Umansky's boutique brokerage, The Agency, based in the glamorous city of Beverly Hills. Not only is Umansky the ex-husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards, but three of their four daughters also work with him. Talk about a family business. The show is a goldmine of office gossip, workplace do's and don'ts, and let's be real, just some good old-fashioned car-crash TV.
So, without further ado, let's dive into the lessons we can learn from this show when it comes to navigating the world of work.
It's no secret that most people will have to work with someone they may not necessarily get along with at some point in their career. Whether it's a difference in political views or religious beliefs, most people know how to maintain professionalism and keep things civil. But that's not the case for reality TV stars. From Christine serving a cocktail called "Chrishell's Two-Faced Tonic" at a house viewing to Chrishell accusing her of spreading false rumors about her divorce, it's like catnip for reality TV fans.
One thing we can learn from this show is that no one likes a "nepo baby." Umansky's stepdaughter Farrah Aldjufrie is a high-performing agent at the firm, and his daughter Alexia Umansky has also been in the family business since 2019. In the second season, the second-youngest daughter Sophia joins the team as an intern, but she initially sees it as a way to pop in and out whenever she pleases. This highlights the issue of nepotism that the show often faces. Other agents have also noticed it, like in season one when agent Allie Lutz gives an inexperienced Alexia a chance to sell a property, but she messes up and forgets important details. Allie knows there's not much she can do about it, saying, "She's the boss's daughter, and what am I gonna do, like, piss off the boss?"
Despite Alexia's claims that the team is "one big family," this isn't necessarily a good thing. After all, families have their fair share of drama, and it can often spill over into the workplace. It's not uncommon for companies to advertise a "family-like" work environment, but it can often lead to blurred boundaries, unrealistic expectations, and other exploitative behaviors. So, if you come across this in a job listing, it's worth thinking twice.
Now, let's talk about office gossip. Thankfully, most of us don't have our snarky comments about our colleagues recorded on camera, but the show does highlight how gossip can spread in a workplace and the negative effects it can have. When Sophia's ex-boyfriend and fellow agent Joey Ben-Zvi makes a disrespectful comment about her, it gets back to Alexia, and she eventually confronts him. As she says, "Nobody knows what 'knock it back' means, but we can all put two and two together. What I do know is that there's definitely some inappropriate connotation here, and that's not okay."
And lastly, let's talk about office romances. As we see in season two, Sophia's flirtation with her older colleague Adam Rosenfeld causes drama with her and another agent, Melissa Platt. But Adam himself doesn't want to get involved, as he tells Farrah, "No disrespect, but she's my boss's 23-year-old daughter. I want to stay as far away from this as I can." Wise words indeed.
So, if you're on the lookout for a job at a company with a great working culture, head over to the Metro Jobs Board and find your perfect fit. With thousands of fantastic career opportunities, you're sure to discover your dream job.
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